Shooting erupts between rebel factions in Mali

BAMAKO, Mali 
A resident of the north Mali city of Gao says that two of the rebel factions controlling the town opened fire on each other.

Mohamed Maiga said that Wednesday's shooting erupted after MUJAO, an Islamic faction, attempted to park their weapon-laden car less than 50 yards (meters) from the headquarters of the secular National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad, or NMLA.

Maiga said the groups then traded fire.

Northern Mali was seized by Tuareg rebels in late March, after a coup in the capital created a power vacuum. There has been increasing tension between the fighters because the rebels are divided between Islamists that want to impose Shariah law and the secular NMLA.